The4OfUs...."Romantic Escape at Sea" Pkg

[goofyguy1958]

Talked to DW and she was really "touched" that I wanted to do this for her. I then called Disney and was told they could not do it for me because I booked through a travel agent. The travel agent has to call them to book it. I got the feeling I was being snubbed, what is wrong with me adding on the extras?

Anyway, now I am just waiting for the call back from the agent to book the package. Oh, the4ofus, I am going to go with the APLAPLA seeting and Palo on Tuesday or Thursday (which ever is open) night. How's that sound?

 

[The4OfUs]

You weren't snubbed, they'd say that for any change...it's paperwork and organization and who knows, maybe even compensation for the TA's...I'll ask my MIL, she was our TA.

APLAPLA sounds great! I hope you all have a wonderful, romantic time.

 

[tde1969]

Just hung up the phone with Debbie the dining room coordinator. She is the best. I was very impressed that she was calling and it's still over a month out. I now have all my reservations for the spa, palo tea, palo brunch and palo dinner. I also was able to give her my rotation preference and a request for a table for four. What will I do now when I get on the ship, I have no where to run except to the kids club to sign in the little one. To me the price was well worth saving me any hassle, lets begin the vacation now.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by tde1969
Just hung up the phone with Debbie the dining room coordinator. She is the best. I was very impressed that she was calling and it's still over a month out. I now have all my reservations for the spa, palo tea, palo brunch and palo dinner. I also was able to give her my rotation preference and a request for a table for four. What will I do now when I get on the ship, I have no where to run except to the kids club to sign in the little one. To me the price was well worth saving me any hassle, lets begin the vacation now.

YUP, she is the best!!!!!!
I agree completely - the fact that I don't have to do the ressie rush is going to make this vacation a real vacation from the start!!!

Rae

 

[goofyguy1958]

Well, I still have not gotten my reservation. My TA called me, while on the line with Disney, to tell me that they informed her that they will not book this package until we are within 30 days. What gives? Also, the CM told her that I cannot request my seating rotation until I am on the ship. Sounds like she (my TA) got a really new CM who did not know what she was doing. TA said she would call Disney back tomorrow to see if she could get someone who knew what they were doing. I am starting to get a bad taste from the way Disney handles customers when they don't book directly.....

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

GoofyGuy, try not to panic. If you book with a TA then they do have to book the pkg. I'm not really sure why unless it is commissionable. It isn't a new rule or anything to do with this pkg. If you need to make any changes or additions to your cruise reservation then the TA has to do it.

Now your TA should be able to book the pkg right now but you won't be able to make the arrangements until....(10 days, 30 days, 45 days). They are a tad inconsistent with that.

I've also heard that the Dining Coordinator will call you directly or is that the TA, no its you, no its the TA. Hmmm. They seem to have some inconsistencies there, too. I plan on calling them at about 30 days or having my TA call. I'm letting her know my preferences so she can let them know but she said she was just going to have them call me if they did call her first. Everyone with me so far. Good 'cause I'm not sure that I'm with me.

As far as being able to change your dining rotation, book tea, Brunch etc. the only person that I've heard that said yes, they do it~ is the actual Dining coordinator. So from what I've been able to gather is that Disney is only promising that you get Palo dinner, the couple spa treatment and the gift. The other is an unofficial courtesy that basically thus far has been offered. I personally am hoping that she is still willing to do it, but because it was not promised to me, I'm not going to count on it.

Anyone, please feel free to correct me because I still feel rather confused by this whole thing but have booked it in the hope that it will all work out!

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by goofyguy1958
Well, I still have not gotten my reservation. My TA called me, while on the line with Disney, to tell me that they informed her that they will not book this package until we are within 30 days. What gives?

They won't even book the PACKAGE? Well, I know that's not true, because like many here ours was purchased when the cruise was purchased! I'm glad your TA will try again...

They won't book the RESSIES until 30 days out, that makes sense...

What Tiiiigergirl said is right...any other CM will tell you what is "included" based off the description, but Debbie is the one that handles it all, and she has thus far proved to be amazing and beyond helpful...crossing my fingers this works out fine for you!

 

[goofyguy1958]

You know, it takes a lot to get me mad but then it will take a lot to calm me down. I LOVE Disney, but my experience with trying to book extras (ie Romatic Escape at Sea) is really starting to nock me off center. Again, no luck booking the package. Told TA to give it one last chance and then forget it. Then I will be forwarding a nice letter to Disney myself. Why are they making this so difficult?

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Well, if they are flat out refusing to book the pkg. I can easily see why you are so frustrated. If it were me, I would call personally and explain that you know you can't book it but that your TA has to do it BUT that she is having some difficulty. I would then ask if your TA could speak directly with the helpful castmember. I would probably try 2-3 times trying to get a helpful CM if you don't get one the first try. If that didn't work, then I would politely ask to speak to a manager.

They won't book the reservations ie. Palo and Spa right now but they should book the PKG.

Good luck and let us know!

(Doesn't it seem like when you really want something you just can't get someone to take your money?! It was that way with our first house. We had several thousand dollars for the down payment and excellent credit but because we were so young we had to try 3 real estate agencies before we could get someone to return our calls and take us to see houses.)

 

[Lynnyl]

Goofyguy, did you book a land/sea vacation? I read on another post that they wouldn't book REAS on land/seas? I hope you get this worked out soon!!!

 

[Amberle3]

Any chance that there's some confusion between the TA and the CMs as to what you're trying to do? Do they think that you're trying to actually make the reservations now instead of just adding the package?

 

[Carlnne]

Do they limit the number of packages sold per cruise due to spa and palo reservations?

 

[goofyguy1958]

Amberle3, yopu know, that has crossed my mind a number of times. I always try and look for the lesson learned in these situations and todays lesson, biys and girls, is next time I will book everything myself. This way I will know exactly what the snags are. And, if I am unable to get the package,that just gives me more money and time to spend with the foo - foo drinks -- ah, err, I mean my wonderful family while having a foo - foo drink.

It all goes back to my meaning of life motto -- A rainy day on vacation always beats a sunny day at work!!!!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

HI THERE~

I HAVE BOOK THE ROMANTIC FOR TWO. 11/04/04

CAN THE SPA TREATMENTS BE DONE ON THE CASTAWAY ISLAND OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE DONE ON THE SHIP?

CAN THE CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE BE BOUGHT TO THE RESTAURANT?

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE INFO, IT REALLY HELPED.

PATRICIA

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Goofyguy if you get to the ship early enough you still should be able to book almost everything that was included in the Romance PKG. You'll just have to do the infamous ressie rush. It still seems strange that they wouldn't just say it was sold out. My guess is that until it became very popular because of the DIS very recently that they never had to worry!

Purty ~ I believe that the massage has to be done on the ship. The one's on CC are more expensive I think. And yes, you can take the champagne to Palo and since it was "purchased" on board there is no corkage fee.

 

[magic cruiser]

I just got off the phone with DCL. I spoke with Constance,a reservation supervisor. She informed me that you cannot have anyone at your table at Palo's except the one's that have signed up for the Romance at Sea Pkg. I had read on this thread that you could make a Palo's res for other members of your family.

Also Constance said," when I want to get a good laugh I go to those( Dis) boards !!!!

If this is true...please try to screen out inaccurrate information !!I don't like looking like an idiot !!

 

[magic cruiser]

Just to clarify what I just posted. I'm talking about 6 family members sitting at our table at Palo's that we're able to book 30 days prior to sailing. Thanks ! I was told by Constance I cannot do this.

 

[The4OfUs]

Debbie is the one that HAS done this many times, so it's not inaccurate information that you're getting here, actually...I'm not sure Debbie's position in relation to Constance's, but Debbie has helped out in many ways that are not "on the books"...

In general I tend to view these boards as helpful in sharing what others have EXPERIENCED, vs. what is "written", because it tends to vary from person to person. However, that being said, thus far EVERYONE who has booked this and reported it back here has had the same experience, a consistant level of service above and beyond anything the description of the package says.

Take it for what you will, I guess, no one was trying to make you look like an idiot. If you read through this thread, and others on this subject, you will see that consistantly people are told one thing and then given a different experience by Debbie...so I'm not surprised you had the same issues come up.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by magic cruiser
Also Constance said," when I want to get a good laugh I go to those( Dis) boards !!!!

Wow...that wasn't very nice.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by magic cruiser
Just to clarify what I just posted. I'm talking about 6 family members sitting at our table at Palo's that we're able to book 30 days prior to sailing. Thanks ! I was told by Constance I cannot do this.

I would call back at another date and ask for Debbie directly.


BTW -- I second what The4OfUs has said => we post our experiences, not the dcl law.